Hurricane Center

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ALERT: Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has issued Executive Order 2023-04, extending the state of local emergency related to Hurricane Idalia through October 2, 2023: Executive Order Here.

Safeguarding Against the Storm

Hurricane preparedness is a part of life in St. Pete and the City of St. Petersburg urges citizens to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, their home and property, and their communities before, during, and after the storm. Much of St. Pete lies in evacuation zones; make sure you have a plan before there’s a storm approaching. 

Are you a resident that also owns a business in St. Pete? Click here to see a centralized page for federal, state, county and local resources specific to business owners.

Evacuation Info   |    Sign Up for Alerts   |    Debris Removal   |    Sandbags   |    Report An Issue   |    Storm Recovery

Hurricane Idalia Recovery Resources

Emergency Housing Resources:

American Red Cross Shelter

In cooperation with Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg, the American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Allendale United Methodist Church for anyone who needs a safe place to stay after Hurricane Idalia.

Allendale United Methodist Church
3803 Haines Rd. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33703

More information here.

Recreational Vehicles & Travel Trailers

Mayor Ken Welch is authorizing the on-site use of recreational vehicles and travel trailers on residential lots for residents in flood-impacted neighborhoods. For the next six months, the City of St. Petersburg will suspend issuing fines, citations, and penalties related to this specific sheltering and housing plan for residents who have been displaced by Hurricane Idalia.

More information here.

FEMA Financial Assistance

Residents impacted by Hurricane Idalia may be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) financial assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses, and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.

For more information or to apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App, or call toll-free 800-621-3362.

More Assistance

St. Pete residents in adversely affected areas can contact Helen Rhymes, Social Services Planning Manager, at helen.rhymes@stpete.org or 727-893-4149 for additional assistance.

Debris Removal

The City of St. Petersburg will begin collecting storm debris in flood-impacted neighborhoods on Thursday, September 7. The City is asking residents who would like their debris picked up, to place separated debris on the curb. If residents have items that they need to keep for insurance or other purposes, they should keep them on private property and make sure they are not on the curb or right of way.

If you would like debris picked up, follow these guidelines.

What We're Picking Up

The City of St. Petersburg will be picking up the following types of debris in flood impacted areas:

  • Construction and demolition (C&D) debris

    • Fencing Materials - fences knocked over during the storm

    • Construction Materials - building materials, carpet, drywall, furniture, lumber, plumbing

  • White goods (appliances and furniture)

    • Appliances - air conditioners, dishwashers, washers and dryers, stoves, refrigerators, water heaters

    • Electronics - computers, televisions, and other devices

  • Hazardous materials

    • Batteries, cleaning supplies, paints, pesticides, oils, compressed gas

Debris Placement

If your debris is placed in the below location, that indicates to our team that it's ready to be picked up. If it's not ready for pick up, please keep on your private property.

  • Place debris in front of the house near the roadway curb.

  • DO NOT place debris near trees, poles, fire hydrants, utility boxes, or other structures that make debris removal difficult.

  • DO NOT place debris in alleyways or on sidewalks.

  • DO NOT place debris in the street or block roadways.

Vegetative Debris

Residents that have vegetative debris from the storm, please place it in your trash bin for regularly scheduled pick up. If it does not fit, please call 727-893-7398 or submit in SeeClickFix to schedule a special pick-up.

Storm Idalia Executive Orders

 

  • Know Your Zone
    Learn More
  • Guide to Hurricane Planning
    Learn More
  • Sign Up for Alert St. Pete
    Learn More
  • Shelter Information
    Learn More
  • Report An Issue
    Learn More
  • Flooding Information
    Learn More
  • Storm Recovery
    Learn More
  • Debris Removal
    Learn More

How To Prepare For A Storm

The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before there’s one approaching. View the City’s Good Neighbor Guide: Hurricane Planning for tips on how to prepare for hurricane season.

Evacuation

Take the necessary steps to prepare yourself, your family, and your home in the event that you need to evacuate. Don't wait until a storm approaches; know your zone and make a plan now. 

Evacuation Assistance Program

Residents who require assistance in an evacuation should pre-register as early as possible. Through the Evacuation Assistance Program, citizens who cannot transport themselves to a shelter will be taken to a general evacuation shelter, a special needs shelter (John Hopkins Middle School, 701 16th St. S., St. Petersburg), or the appropriate facility, such as a hospital or nursing home. Residents MUST pre-register to access these services and should NOT wait until a storm is approaching. Register for evacuation assistance today at 727-551-3822. 

Accessibility Preparation

All St. Pete residents should be prepared for emergencies, and people with disabilities need to make additional preparations to ensure their safety and comfort in the event of an emergency situation. An evacuation assistance program is offered to help local residents with special needs in the event of an evacuation due to a hurricane or other emergency situation. Residents MUST register before services are needed. Register for evacuation assistance on Pinellas County's website or call 727-551-3822. Find more resources here.

Preparing Your Boat

Don't forget to consider your boat when preparing for a storm. Find boat preparation tips from Pinellas County.

Pet Preparedness

Pet owners are responsible for disaster planning for their pets. If you plan to evacuate, plan for your pet as well. Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets. If you plan to go to a public shelter, make other provisions for your pet. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ANIMALS BEHIND IF YOU EVACUATE. 

Volunteers are needed to help with Pet Pick-ups from Special Needs citizens during evacuations. Find out more about Animal Services calls.

Tips to Follow During The Storm

Follow Pinellas County's guide for what to do and when to act during a storm. Be prepared to evacuate, if necessary. Monitor the appropriate news channels in your local area for instructions as well as StPeteTV (Cable 615/15/20). Find out how to get alerts from your cell phone when the power is out. Learn where sandbags will be available, generator safety tips and local radio stations that will broadcast city information.

The City of St. Petersburg will also provide storm-related information through its social media channels. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stpetefl  or on Twitter @StPeteFL or St. Pete Public Works @StPetePW. 

 

What to Do After the Storm

After the storm passes, use a battery-powered radio to listen for news reports about damage, road closures, power outages, and other emergency instructions. Continue to follow the City of St. Petersburg on social media for real time updates. 

Plan on three to seven days of uncertainty, depending on the storm, and be prepared with enough supplies in your storm emergency kit (food, water, medications, and entertainment). If Pinellas County is hit by a hurricane, it could be several weeks or even months before life gets back to normal.

Following severe storm activity and power disruptions, there may be non-working traffic signals in the city. If you encounter an inoperable signal, remember to approach the intersection as a four-way stop. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to reach the intersection should move forward first. If two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Debris Removal

Idalia brought minimal debris impacts to St. Pete. Here's how you can dispose of debris on your property.

  • Debris can be broken down and placed in the regular trash bin (black bin) for pickup. If items are too large for the bin, please place at the curb but do no block roadways or sidewalks. Residents are asked to not bag their debris. Bagged debris will not be able to be collected. 

  • All brush site locations are open and residents are welcome to bring brush debris to those facilities if desired.

  • Contact the Sanitation Department at 727-893-7398, or use SeeClickFix to schedule a pickup.

Property Repair

As property owners make repairs to storm-damaged structures, the City of St. Petersburg reminds residential and commercial property owners to obtain the proper permits and to use licensed contractors.

Work which does not require a permit includes minor repair including cosmetic and finishing work. A list of work exempt from permit requirements is available on the permitting page. 

The Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB) site includes a list of licensed contractors and the Disaster Contractors Network lists contractors who are registered with FEMA for disaster-related projects.